Safety seat

ABSTRACT

A seat for providing an improved level of protection to a child by reducing the amount of force restraining straps exert upon the child during a collision. The seat includes a seat frame and a cover positioned over the seat frame to provide comfort to a seat occupant. The seat frame includes a seat back with a slot for receiving a strap for restraining a seat occupant and an energy absorbing member. The energy absorbing member reduces the amount of force applied by the strap to the seat occupant during a sudden deceleration of the seat and comprises an elongated weakness area extending from a bottom edge of the slot. The energy absorbing member is adapted for progressive separation from the seat back during a sudden deceleration, whereby the strap is allowed to move forward, at a controlled rate, a predetermined distance during the sudden deceleration of the seat.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This divisional application claims the benefit of U.S. Non-Provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 11/223,502, filed on Sep. 9, 2005.

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to safety seats for conveyances such as vehicles.The invention has particular application as a safety seat for children,and is intended to provide an improved level of protection to the childby reducing the amount of force the restraining straps exert upon thechild during a collision.

Conventional child safety seats have restraining straps that hold thechild in place. In the event of an accident, the restraining strapsexert a restraining force upon the child to hold the child securely inplace and prevent the child from moving forward. While it is importantto hold the child securely in place, the child can possibly sustaininjury as a result of the significant force the restraining straps applyto the upper body of the child during a sudden stop or deceleration.Children are especially vulnerable to forces applied to their upperbodies because their heads are relatively heavy compared to the rest oftheir body. Children also have relatively weak necks with soft bones andstretchy ligaments making them more susceptible to injury. Conventionalchild safety seats have no specific mechanism to dissipate energy orforce exerted upon the child during a collision. As such, there is aneed for a child safety seat that reduces the amount of force applied tothe child by the restraining straps during a sudden deceleration.

The safety seat of the present invention includes an energy-absorbingfeature that reduces the load applied to the child in a collision orduring a sudden stop or deceleration. The energy absorbing feature ofthis invention helps absorb shock and lessen the potential injury to thehead and chest of the child, the parts of the body most vulnerable in acollision.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a child seat thatreduces the amount of force applied to the child by the restrainingstraps.

It is another object of the invention to provide a child seat thatsecures a child in the seat.

It is another object of the invention to provide a child seat with anenergy-absorbing member.

These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in thepreferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a seat including aseat frame having a seat back and an energy absorbing member. The seatback includes a slot for receiving a strap for restraining a seatoccupant. The energy absorbing member is operatively associated with theslot and reduces the amount of force applied by the strap to the seatoccupant during a sudden deceleration of the seat.

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the energyabsorbing member includes an elongate weakness area extending from abottom edge of the slot, and adapted for progressive separation during asudden deceleration to allow the strap to move forward, at a controlledrate, a predetermined distance during the sudden deceleration of theseat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the energyabsorbing member is positioned between a rearward side of the seat frameand the strap. The energy absorbing member includes a crushable materialadapted for progressive crushing during a sudden deceleration to allowthe strap to move forward, at a controlled rate, a predetermineddistance during the sudden deceleration of the seat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the energyabsorbing member is mounted on the rearward side of the seat frameadjacent to the slot.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the seatback includes a plurality of slots positioned substantially verticallyfrom a bottom of the seat back to a top of the seat back for receivingthe strap.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the seatframe includes a plurality of energy absorbing members. Each of theenergy absorbing members are positioned on the seat back adjacent to arespective one of the plurality of slots.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, theplurality of energy absorbing members include an area of reducedresistance to application of a force extending from a bottom edge of theslot, and adapted for separation from the seat back during a suddendeceleration to allow the strap to move forward, at a controlled rate, apredetermined distance during the sudden deceleration of the seat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, theplurality of energy absorbing members decrease in size from the bottomof the seat back to the top of the seat back.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, theplurality of energy absorbing members decrease in energy absorbingcapacity from the bottom of the seat back to the top of the seat back.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the energyabsorbing members are positioned between a rearward side of the seatframe and the strap. The energy absorbing members include a crushablematerial adapted for progressive crushing during a sudden decelerationto allow the strap to gradually move forward a predetermined distanceduring the sudden deceleration of the seat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the seatframe includes a plurality of energy absorbing members. Each of theenergy absorbing members are positioned on the rearward side of the seatback adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of slots.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, theplurality of energy absorbing members decrease in energy absorbingcapacity from the bottom of the seat back to the top of the seat back.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the seatback includes a bottom pair of slots, an intermediate pair of slotspositioned above the bottom pair of slots, and a top pair of slotspositioned above the intermediate pair of slots. The seat back alsoincludes a first pair of energy absorbing members positioned adjacentthe bottom pair of slots, and a second pair of energy absorbing memberspositioned adjacent the intermediate pair of slots.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the firstpair of energy absorbing members have greater energy absorbing capacitythan the second pair of energy absorbing members.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a seatincludes a seat frame having a seat back and a seat bottom. The seatback includes a plurality of slots positioned substantially verticallyfrom a bottom of the seat back to a top of the seat back for receiving astrap for restraining a seat occupant. The seat frame further includesan energy absorbing member operatively associated with at least one ofthe plurality of slots for reducing the amount of force applied by thestrap to the seat occupant during a sudden deceleration of the seat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the energyabsorbing member includes an elongated weakness area extending from abottom edge of the at least one of the plurality of slots, and adaptedfor progressive separation from the seat back during a suddendeceleration to allow the strap to move forward, at a controlled rate, apredetermined distance during the sudden deceleration of the seat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the energyabsorbing member is positioned between a rearward side of the seat frameand the strap. The energy absorbing member includes a crushable materialadapted for progressive crushing during a sudden deceleration to allowthe strap to move forward, at a controlled rate, a predetermineddistance during the sudden deceleration of the seat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a seatincludes a seat frame having a seat back and a seat bottom. The seatback has an upper pair of slots, an intermediate pair of slots, and abottom pair of slots for receiving a strap for restraining a seatoccupant. The seat frame further includes a first pair of energyabsorbing members operatively associated with the bottom pair of slotsand a second pair of energy absorbing members operatively associatedwith the intermediate pair of slots to allow the strap to move forward,at a controlled rate, a predetermined distance during a suddendeceleration of the seat, thereby reducing the amount of force appliedby the strap to the seat occupant. The first pair of energy absorbingmembers have a greater energy absorbing capacity than the second pair ofenergy absorbing members.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the firstand second pairs of energy absorbing members include an area of reducedresistance to application of a force extending from a bottom edge of theslot, and are adapted for separation from the seat back during a suddendeceleration to allow the strap to move forward, at a controlled rate, apredetermined distance during the sudden deceleration of the seat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the firstand second pairs of energy absorbing members are positioned between arearward side of the seat frame and the strap. The first and secondpairs of energy absorbing members include a crushable material adaptedfor progressive crushing during a sudden deceleration to allow the strapto move forward, at a controlled rate, a predetermined distance duringthe sudden deceleration of the seat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method forrestraining a seat occupant includes the steps of providing a seathaving a seat frame, a seat back, and a slot for receiving a strap;placing a seat occupant in the seat, and securing the seat occupant inthe seat using the strap; and providing an energy absorbing memberoperatively associated with the slot for reducing the amount of forceapplied by the strap to the seat occupant during a sudden decelerationof the seat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the step ofproviding an energy absorbing member includes positioning a crushablematerial between the seat frame the strap, the crushable materialadapted for progressive crushing during a sudden deceleration of theseat.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the step ofproviding an energy absorbing member includes forming an elongatedweakness area extending from a bottom edge of the slot and adapted forprogressive separation from the seat back during a sudden decelerationof the seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the objects of the invention have been set forth above. Otherobjects and advantages of the invention will appear as the inventionproceeds when taken in conjunction with the following drawings, inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an energy absorbing child seat accordingto a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the energy absorbing seat of FIG.1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a seat frame of the energy absorbingseat of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a center support of the seat frame ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is another perspective view of the center support of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the center support of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is another perspective view of the center support of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a child secured and positioned on thecenter support of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the child positioned on the centersupport of FIG. 4 and moving in a forward direction;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an energy absorbing child seataccording to another preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is another perspective view of the energy absorbing seat of FIG.10;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a seat frame of the energy absorbingseat of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a center support of the seat frame ofFIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is another perspective view of the center support of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a partial cross sectional view of the energy absorbing seatof FIG. 10;

FIG. 16 is another partial cross sectional view of the energy absorbingseat of FIG. 10, showing a child moving forward;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a child secured and positioned on thecenter support of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the child positioned on the centersupport of FIG. 13, and moving in a forward direction;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT AND BEST MODE

Referring now specifically to the drawings, an energy absorbing childsafety seat according to a preferred embodiment of the invention isillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, and shown generally at reference numeral10. The seat 10 is particularly for use in a vehicle, and generallycomprises a seat frame 11 having a seat back 12 and a seat bottom 13 andenergy absorbing members 21A, 21B. A restraining harness, such as straps16, passes through the seat back 12 and is connected to the seat frame11 for restraining a seat occupant within the seat. A cover 14 includingsuitable padding is positioned over the seat frame 11 to provide comfortto a seat occupant.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the seat frame 11 includes a pair of moldedplastic opposing sides 17 and 18 connected by a molded plastic centersupport 19. The center support 19 has a curvature that defines the seatback 12 and the seat bottom 13. Preferably, three pairs of slots 20A,20B, 20C are vertically positioned in the seat back 12 to allow thestraps 16 to pass therethrough. As shown in FIG. 4, the slots 20A, 20B,20C are arranged in a pair of vertical columns to allow the straps 16 tobe adjusted to accommodate seat occupants of different height. Thebottom slots 20A are used for the smallest seat occupants, theintermediate slots 20B for larger seat occupants, and the top slots 20Cfor the largest seat occupants. As such, the seat 10 can be adjusted asa seat occupant grows, or when used by a different child.

Preferably, two pairs of sacrificial energy absorbing members 21A, 21Bare incorporated into the center support 19, as shown in FIG. 4. Each ofthe energy absorbing members 21A, 21B include an area defined by twospaced-apart weakened lines 22 of relatively thinner plastic materialthat extend downward from a bottom edge 23 of one of the bottom slots20A or intermediate slots 20B, respectively. The lines 22 are weakenedto allow for tearing in a sudden stop or deceleration. The lines 22 maybe formed such that the degree of weakness decreases from a top of theline 22 to a bottom of the line 22. Alternatively, the lines 22 may beformed of spaced-apart perforations.

The lines 22 of the lower energy absorbing members 21A extend from thebottom pair of slots 20A, and the lines 22 of the upper energy absorbingmembers 21B extend from the intermediate pair of slots 21B. The lengthof the lines 22 extending from intermediate slots 20B is less than thelines 22 extending from bottom slots 20A. There are no energy absorbingmembers for the top pair of slots 20C. Such an arrangement is due to thefact that the smallest children have the greatest need for energyabsorption in a vehicle's sudden stop or impact, while energy absorptionis not as critical for larger children. Also, the longer upper torso oflarger children cannot be allowed to move so far forward as to impactthe rear of the front seat.

As shown in FIG. 5, the lines 22 allow the energy absorbing members 21A,21B to tear away from the center support 19 at a controlled rate,decreasing the rate of acceleration of the seat occupant. This allowsthe energy absorbing members 21A, 21B to dissipate energy being appliedto the slots 20A, 20B, respectively, by the straps 16 passingtherethrough, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a seat occupant, such as a child “C”, ispositioned in the seat 10 on the center support 19. The child “C” issecured to the center support 19 of the seat 10 by the straps 16. Asillustrated, the straps 16 are passed through the intermediate slots 20Bto correspond to the size of the child “C”. When a vehicle comes to asudden stop, the forces generated by the sudden stop forces the child“C” to move in a forward direction, as shown in FIG. 9. As a result, thestraps 16 restrain the child “C” to prevent the child “C” from beingthrown forward. Depending on the severity of the stop, the straps of aconventional child seat may exert a force substantial enough to injurethe child “C”.

As shown in FIG. 9, the energy absorbing members 21B of the seat 10allow the straps 16 to move slightly forward before completely stopping.The energy absorbing members 21B gradually tear along the lines 22 asthe force exerted by the straps 16 onto the child “C” increases. Assuch, forward motion of the child “C” is slowed gradually before comingto a complete stop, thereby reducing the potential for injury. Center 19is replaced after incident causing sacrifice of the energy absorbingmember.

An energy absorbing child safety seat according to another preferredembodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, and showngenerally at reference numeral 100. The seat 100 generally comprises aseat frame 111 having a seat back 112 and a seat bottom 113 and energyabsorbing members 121A, 121B. A restraining harness, such as straps 116,passes through the seat back 112 and is connected to the seat frame 111for restraining a seat occupant within the seat. A padded cover ispositioned on the seat frame 111 to provide comfort to a seat occupant.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the seat frame 111 includes a pair ofopposing sides 117 and 118 connected by a center support 119. The centersupport 119 has a curvature that defines the seat back 112 and the seatbottom 113. Preferably, three pairs of slots 120A, 120B, 120C arepositioned on the seat back 112 to allow the straps 116 to passtherethrough, as illustrated with respect to slots 120B in FIG. 14. Theslots 120A, 120B, 120C are arranged in a pair of vertical columns toallow the straps 116 to be adjusted to accommodate a seat occupant ofdifferent heights. The bottom slots 120A are used for the smallest seatoccupants, the intermediate slots 120B for larger seat occupants, andthe top slots 120C for the largest seat occupants. As such, the seat 10can be adjusted as the seat occupant grows.

Preferably, two pairs of energy absorbing members 121A, 121B areoperatively associated with the slots 120A, 120B respectively. Theenergy absorbing members 121A, 121B are incorporated into the centersupport 119, as shown in FIG. 13. Each of the energy absorbing members121A, 121B includes a block of crushable material, such as a highdensity open or closed cell foam selected to provide a gradualdeformation under load, preferably mounted on the rear side of the seatframe 111 proximate one of the bottom slots 120A or intermediate slots120B, respectively, such that straps 116 can be positioned over theenergy absorbing members 121A, 121B, as shown in FIG. 15. Also, theenergy absorbing members 121A, 121B may be positioned at other suitablepositions on the center support 119, such as under the seat bottom 113.

Preferably, the energy absorbing members 121A proximate the bottom slots120A are larger than the energy absorbing members 121B proximate theintermediate slots 120B. There are no energy absorbing members proximatethe top pair of slots 120C. Such an arrangement is due to the fact thatthe smallest children have the greatest need for energy absorption in avehicle's sudden stop or impact, while energy absorption is not ascritical for larger children. Also, the longer upper torso of largerchildren cannot be allowed to move so far forward as to impact the rearof the front seat.

FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the function of the energy absorbing member121A in a sudden stop. FIG. 15 shows a child “C” riding at normal speedin a vehicle, and restrained by strap 116 positioned through the bottomslots 120A. As the vehicle comes to a sudden stop, inertia forces causethe child “C” to move forward against the straps 116, as shown in FIG.16. The crushable material of the energy absorbing member 121A absorbs asignificant amount of force from the strap 116. The energy absorbingmember 121A allows the strap 116 to move slightly forward before comingto a complete stop by contacting the rear side of the seat frame 111. Assuch the child “C” is allowed to come to a more gradual stop, and isless likely to suffer an injury in an accident.

FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate the use of the energy absorbing members 1218proximate the intermediate slots 120B. The child “C” is positioned inthe seat 100 on the center support 119, as shown in FIG. 17. The child“C” is secured to the center support 119 of the seat 100 by the straps116. The straps 116 are passed through the intermediate slots 120B tocorrespond to the size of the child “C”. When the vehicle comes to asudden stop, the forces generated by the sudden stop forces the child“C” to move in a forward direction, as shown in FIG. 18. The crushablematerial of the energy absorbing members 121B absorb a significantamount of the force exerted on the child by straps 116.

The invention has the potential of decreasing the g-forces applied to achild during a sudden stop or deceleration from approximately 60 g's toapproximately 35-40 g's.

A child safety seat, and a method of using same are described above.Various details of the invention may be changed without departing fromits scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferredembodiment of the invention and the best mode for practicing theinvention are provided for the purpose of illustration only and not forthe purpose of limitation—the invention being defined by the claims.

1. A seat, comprising: (a) a strip for restraining a seat occupant; (b) a seat frame having a seat back that includes a plurality of slots positioned substantially vertically from a bottom of the seat back to a top of the seat back that are each configured for receiving the strap; and (c) the seat frame further including a plurality of energy absorbing members, each of the energy absorbing members being positioned on the seat back adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of slots and being operatively associated with the slot for reducing the amount of force applied by the strap to the seat occupant during a sudden deceleration of the seat.
 2. The seat according to claim 1, wherein each energy absorbing member is mounted on the rearward side of the seat frame adjacent to the slot.
 3. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of energy absorbing members include an area of reduced resistance to application of a force extending from a bottom edge of the slot, and adapted for separation from the seat back during a sudden deceleration, whereby the strap is allowed to move forward, at a controlled rate, a predetermined distance during the sudden deceleration of the seat.
 4. The seat according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of energy absorbing members decrease in size from the bottom of the seat back to the top of the seat back.
 5. The seat according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of energy absorbing members decrease in energy absorbing capacity from the bottom of the seat back to the top of the seat back.
 6. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the energy absorbing members are positioned between a rearward side of the seat frame and the strap, the energy absorbing members comprising a crushable material adapted for progressive crushing during a sudden deceleration, whereby the strap is allowed to move forward, at a controlled rate, a predetermined distance during the sudden deceleration of the seat.
 7. The seat according to claim 6, wherein the seat frame includes a plurality of energy absorbing members, each of the energy absorbing members being positioned on the rearward side of the seat back adjacent to a respective one of the plurality of slots.
 8. The seat according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of energy absorbing members decrease in energy absorbing capacity from the bottom of the seat back to the top of the seat back.
 9. The seat according to claim 1, wherein the seat back includes a bottom pair of slots, an intermediate pair of slots positioned above the bottom pair of slots, and a top pair of slots positioned above the intermediate pair of slots, and further wherein the seat back includes a first pair of energy absorbing members positioned adjacent the bottom pair of slots, and a second pair of energy absorbing members positioned adjacent the intermediate pair of slots.
 10. The seat according to claim 9, wherein the first pair of energy absorbing members have greater energy absorbing capacity than the second pair of energy absorbing members.
 11. A seat, comprising: (a) a seat frame having a seat back and a seat bottom, the seat back having an upper pair of slots, an intermediate pair of slots, and a bottom pair of slots for receiving a strap for restraining a seat occupant; (b) the seat frame further including a first pair of energy absorbing members operatively associated with the bottom pair of slots and a second pair of energy absorbing members operatively associated with the intermediate pair of slots to allow the strap to move forward, at a controlled rate, a predetermined distance during a sudden deceleration of the seat, thereby reducing the amount of force applied by the strap to the seat occupant; and (c) wherein the first pair of energy absorbing members have a greater energy absorbing capacity than the second pair of energy absorbing members.
 12. The seat according to claim 11, wherein the first and second pairs of energy absorbing members include an area of reduced resistance to application of a force extending from a bottom edge of the slot, and adapted for separation from the seat back during a sudden deceleration, whereby the strap is allowed to move forward, at a controlled rate, a predetermined distance during the sudden deceleration of the seat.
 13. The seat according to claim 11, wherein the first and second pairs of energy absorbing members are positioned between a rearward side of the seat frame and the slot, the first and second pairs of energy absorbing members comprising a crushable material adapted for progressive crushing during a sudden deceleration, whereby the strap is allowed to move forward, at a controlled rate, a predetermined distance during the sudden deceleration of the seat. 